As War Builds in Europe, Obama Sends Out a Silly Selfie

It’s domestic politics and business as usual for the Obama White House, even as Putin’s Russia makes preparations for a full invasion of Ukraine. The official White House email list sent out the following presidential selfie, to celebrate a film festival. The president is flanked by Bill Nye the Science Guy and astronomer Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

The event took place Friday, February 28 — the same day that Russian troops swept into Crimea. The White House email made no mention at all of the escalating crisis with Russia. It does mention the president “hanging” with comedians Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers.